Advanced Photographer magazine recently featured a 2-page article about The Camera Club and our proud history in its December 2011 issue, thanks to the contribution of current Club members Marek Neumann and Joanna Wedman and our digital suite sponsors, Epson.

Text from the article is reprinted below – and you can download the full article with lots of interesting photos from our Archive here: right-click to Download full AP magazine article (PDF, 385k)

The Camera Club

Photo courtesy of The Camera Club collection

When a photographic association doesn’t list its location in its name, it’s got to be something special – Marek Neumann and Joanna Wedman from the London-based group known as The Camera Club explain the organisation’s history and many relocations

The Camera Club’s saga began in 1885 when J Harris Stone, the editor of a photographic magazine, decided to call together a meeting of the most prominent personalities of the day. The result was the formation of The Camera Club and the club’s first premises was located at 21 Bedford Street, Strand.

In 1891 the club moved on to more spacious premises at 28 Charing Cross Road, which included a studio and 11 darkrooms. At the time photography was in a state of rapid evolution and the club’s membership included most of the influential figures of the time: Marcus Adams, the Royal photographer, Bertram Park and Yvonne Gregory to name a few, and other well- known figures such as Cecil Beaton had their exhibitions in The Camera Club’s gallery.

In 1908 the club formally amalgamated with the Blenheim Club but preferring independence, FJ Mortimer (president 1938- 44) led a move to the neo-classical Adelphi buildings on John Adam Street, where The Camera Club had excellent facilities, a billiard room, library and dining room. Despite slight bomb damage in the First World War, the club stayed there until further bombing in the Second World War in April 1941. It then reopened the following year at 11 Grosvenor Street and despite wartime conditions, the club continued to thrive. Darkroom hire was 2 1⁄2p per hour.

In 1946 the club moved again to Manchester Square where it remained until the lease expired in 1969, when it moved above the Photographers Gallery in Great Newport Street. These premises proved to be very popular, with regular demonstrations on Wednesday and Friday evenings.

In January 1991 the club made its most recent move to 16 Bowden Street, an ex- pickle factory where Charlie Chaplin’s father had worked.

The club now offers two studios, a gallery, four darkrooms and a newly refurbished digital suite, which is sponsored by Epson and equipped with two Epson printers – a Stylus R1900 and a Stylus 3880 Pro – and an Epson Perfection V750 flatbed and negative scanner.

Epson has long been known as one of the leaders in digital printing and we are proud to use only Epson inks and papers in our new digital suite. This equipment has allowed the club’s members access to professional equipment, which many might otherwise find unaffordable, and encourages them to develop their printing and scanning skills. The club organises workshops for members to help them to use the Epson equipment in the most effective way, and lots of members use these facilities professionally, either to print photographs for their clients and exhibitions or archive their negatives using the Epson scanner.

Although always adapting to changing times and demands, the club’s ‘mission’ hasremained the same for 125 years – to provide a forum where members can meet others who share their interest and enthusiasm.

The Camera Club promotes interest in all aspects of photography and welcomes members of all experience levels – young and old, amateur and professional.

Download the full article PDF here (right-click to download)